In a communique signed by its State Chairman Dr. Felix Archibong and Secretary, Dr. Amaku Etim, The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Cross River State branch has suspended its forty-one-day strike in the State.
They said after careful and painstaking deliberations, the Congress resolved to suspend the ongoing withdrawal of clinical services embarked upon, due to the protracted kidnap of one of her members and Professor of Neurology, Prof. Ekanem Philip-Ephraim, who has been held captive for forty-four (44) days.
In an emergency general meeting held on Wednesday 23rd and Saturday 26th of August 2023, the Association urged members to resume duty today Monday 28th August, 2023 by 8:am.
“It is our belief that the Cross River State Government will do everything in its power to keep to its promises on security as a failure in this regard may not guarantee industrial harmony after our review in two weeks,” the NMA warned.
“The Association will review the government’s efforts with respect to the search, rescue, and release of Prof. Ekanem Philip-Ephraim and other security efforts made to secure the lives and properties of citizens in two weeks,” it said.
The communique in part also called on well-meaning Cross Riverians, civil society groups, and professional bodies within and outside the State to join hands with the Association in fighting the menace of kidnapping in the State.
It calls on the Cross River State Government to bring those involved in this dastardly act of kidnapping of her members to book and make them face the full wrath of the law with visible evidence.